-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- The Dalai Lama Friday rejected a series of allegations from the Chinese government , saying he does not seek the separation of Tibet and has no desire to `` sabotage '' the Olympic games .

Chinese authorities have blamed followers of the Dalai Lama for instigating the unrest that has swept Tibet .

Issuing a statement while traveling in New Delhi , India , the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists called on China `` to exercise wisdom and to initiate a meaningful dialogue with the Tibetan people . ''

Beijing has blamed the Dalai Lama and his followers for violence that erupted amid protests for Tibetan independence earlier this month , but China has drawn international criticism for its crackdown on the protests that began peacefully .

President Bush said Friday he `` urged restraint '' during a phone conversation with Chinese President Hu Jintao earlier this week , and noted `` that it 's in his country 's interest '' for the government to have representatives `` sit down again with representatives of the Dalai Lama . ''

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd , appearing with Bush at the White House , also called for meetings between the two sides .

`` It 's absolutely clear that there are human rights abuses in Tibet . That 's clear-cut . We need to be up-front and absolutely straight about what 's going on . Should n't shilly-shally about it , '' Rudd said .

Tibet 's government in exile has said the death toll from the protests has reached about 140 over the past two weeks , but China 's government restrictions have made it difficult to confirm that number .

Chinese authorities put the death toll at 19 and said most of those killed were `` innocent victims '' -- Han Chinese targeted by Tibetans .

`` I am deeply saddened by the loss of life in the recent tragic events . I am aware that some Chinese have also died . I feel for the victims and their families and pray for them , '' the Dalai Lama said in his written statement Friday .

He added that there is an `` urgent need to seek a peaceful and mutually beneficial solution through dialogue . Even at this juncture I have expressed my willingness to the Chinese authorities to work together to bring about peace and stability . ''

He noted repeatedly that he is not a `` separatist . ''

`` Chinese brothers and sisters , I assure you I have no desire to seek Tibet 's separation . Nor do I have any wish to drive a wedge between the Tibetan and Chinese peoples , '' he wrote .

Instead , protesters seek `` meaningful self-rule '' while remaining a part of China , he added .

And , he said , `` despite my repeated support for the Beijing Olympics , the Chinese authorities , with the intention of creating a rift between the Chinese people and myself , the Chinese authorities assert that I am trying to sabotage the games . ''

The protests -- which began on the 49th anniversary of a failed Tibetan uprising -- have threatened to overshadow Beijing 's role as host of the Summer Olympic Games in August .

In his statement , the Dalai Lama complained the Chinese state-run media 's coverage `` of the recent events in Tibet , using deceit and distorted images , could sow the seeds of racial tension with unpredictable long-term consequences . This is of grave concern to me . ''

China 's state-run media , however , have accused some Western news agencies -- including CNN -- of distorting coverage of the riots to make China look bad and the protesters look like innocent victims .

A headline Friday on the English Web site of China 's official Xinhua news agency read '' ` Anti-CNN ' Web site reflects Chinese people 's condemnation . '' The article offered a link to a site in which Chinese bloggers criticize CNN 's coverage .

In a statement , CNN said , `` We have provided comprehensive coverage of all sides of this story , '' adding that the network 's `` reputation is based on reporting global news accurately and impartially . '' Read the full statement

Earlier this week , China offered some media organizations -- not including CNN -- a carefully managed tour of Tibet 's capital , but ran into a public-relations roadblock when a group of Buddhist monks began screaming protests at a holy shrine . E-mail to a friend

@highlight

Dalai Lama : `` I have no desire to seek Tibet 's separation ''

@highlight

Dalai Lama : Protesters seek `` meaningful self-rule '' while remaining a part of China

@highlight

Violence erupted amid protests for Tibetan independence earlier this month

@highlight

Bush says he `` urged restraint '' during a phone call with China 's president